Rotator Cuff Syndrome

Rotator Cuff Syndrome is basically a strain of one or more of the four rotator cuff muscles in your shoulder. There are many more shoulder muscles but the major ones are the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis and teres minor. This group of muscles works together to provide the shoulder joint with dynamic stability, helping control the joint during during rotation. By a strain, I mean microscopic tears in the muscle and in more severe injuries, the muscle could tear more significantly. You can strain your rotator cuff a variety ways, including throwing a baseball, working on a home landscaping project, shoveling snow, lifting something heavy or even in a car accident. If the muscle is completely torn, surgery is necessary. That’s why most of us tend to think of surgery and a very long recover period. However, simple strains can be treated quite easily. An MRI is used to determine the severity of the injury. As a chiropractor, I use the Graston Technique, low-level light therapy, interferential therapy and rehab; also we adjust the lower neck and upper back. The recovery time varies depending on the injury and the number of muscles involved. In general, a patient starts to see improvement within the first few weeks. We’ve had patients resolve a rotator cuff issue within a month, while it’s not unusual to take a few months.